Positive tidbits when starting school!

My son is starting big school next year and I'm starting to information gather and try and prepare him (and me!) as much as possible.

At a recent 'School Readiness' seminar put on by our local daycare centre I learnt a lot and it showed me how much more I have to learn.

BUT the 3 most important things for any pre-schooler when they start school are:

1. Toilet - where is it located and ensure they've been in it and know the layout.

2. Friends - your child will naturally make friends, try not to harrass them once they start school on this point, you might make it worse. You'll know about new friends when they're ready to tell you!

3. Lunch - ah, now here is where we can help! Fridge-to-go Small or Medium Lunch bags WILL make everyone's life easier so check em out.

To make that school lunch even better and exciting and to help your child's confidence without actually being there yourself, check out Alpha Mom's free lunchbox notes and stickers that you can make yourself! Simply print notes out and cut them out to include in their lunch. How cool for your child to open their Fridge-to-go bag and have a sweet note telling them 'You're pear-fect' or 'Love you a bunch' attached to their fruit! Sometime the little things (and often free things!) make a real difference!

We were also told not to talk to our children about how school is this AMAZING place you loved so much and it will change their world - let them work out what they love about it themselves so you don't set expectations that may not be reached. You can tell them it will be a different experience and they're going to learn so much and how much you enjoyed it!

My son recently had orientation and we bought some of my son's uniform at the same time so he could show his dad and friends. To date, this was his FAVOURITE part of orientation as he's getting used to the idea at his own pace and is easing into it slowly. Of course the transition is never easy, but if we can take away as much of the unknown as possible to help your child's fear factor, why wouldn't you!!

If you have any other 'starting big school' tips, please share!!